GDHQNHL15_4pg-Minnesota Wild 4

Minnesota Wild Gameday HQ

most impressive name. Dumba was sent back to juniors after 13 games
despite putting up a goal and an assist in his time with the big club. If the
20-year-old can show that his defense has improved, the Wild will not
hesitate to put him in the lineup.
Goaltending
With Josh Harding injured to start the year from a non-hockey
injury and subsequently suspended indefinitely by the team, the
Minnesota Wild have a question mark in goal as they continue forward
without one of the NHL’s better goaltenders. In 29 appearances last
season, Harding had 18 wins, an eye-popping 1.65 goals-against average
and .933 save percentage. (61)
Darcy Kuemper made a name for himself last year after starting 24
games towards the end of the 2013-14 season and in the playoffs before
succumbing to injury. During the regular season, Kuemper put up some
pretty solid numbers for a starting goaltender as he had a 2.43 goalsagainst
average with a .915 save percentage. Those numbers improved
immensely during the playoffs. He shaved nearly a half a goal off his
goals-against average in the playoffs, standing at 2.03 and a consistent
save percentage sitting at .913. Kuemper will probably get the first crack
at the starting job.
Also in the mix is Niklas Backstrom, but he will have to prove he is
over his injury issues. Not only that, but he will have to improve his level
of play after a down year that may have been caused by his injuries.
Power Play
The Wild finished middle of the pack while on the power-play last
season, coming 16th in the NHL with a success rate of 17.9 percent, The
team is hoping to improve on that position, largely due in part to the
addition of Thomas Vanek to the lineup for the upcoming year.
In three different stops in 2013-14, Vanek showed a knack for scoring
on the power-play.
With 18 points (8
goals, 10 assists)
coming while on
the man-advantage,
Vanek showed
that even without
a consistent set of
linemates throughout
the year that he could
still produce in that
situation. If given a
year with the same
group of guys, he could
improve upon those
numbers. For his career Vanek has nearly 200 points (198) on the power
play, more than one-third of his career point total.
Penalty Kill
Mikko Koivu
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
The Minnesota Wild penalty kill left a lot to be desired last season.
The Wild killed off only 78.8 percent of the opposition’s chances,
finishing 27th in the NHL in that category. That number labeled the Wild
as one of only five teams in the league to not crack the 80 percent mark.
Part of the reason could be attributed to not having a consistent
goaltender throughout the season. Another reason for the team’s
struggles on the penalty kill could be attributed to having only one
real shutdown defenseman in Ryan Suter. Regardless of the reasoning,
for a franchise known for their defensive prowess, the team will have
to improve in this area if they hope to make an extended run in the
playoffs. (72)
Three Questions
1. Who will start in goal for the Wild?
With Harding injured and suspended and Backstrom returning from surgery, the bet here is that Kuemper continues his play from a brief
playoff stint into the starting role for the Wild. If he struggles at all, a change will be inevitable.
2. Which Thomas Vanek are the Wild getting?
It was a Dr. Jekyll regular season and Mr. Hyde post-season for the much-maligned forward last year. The Wild are banking on a return to
the state where he played his college hockey to rejuvenate him after a poor playoff performance. He is too good not to produce.
3. Will Ryan Suter get a break in playing time?
The Wild relied heavily on perennial Norris Trophy candidate as he led the league in ice time with 29:24 per game. The Wild must develop
their young defensemen for Suter to be the elite defenseman that he is. If he continues at this rate, a downturn in effectiveness could be
in his future.
Prediction
If the Wild can straighten out their goaltending, this team can have a special year. With the development of Granlund and the addition of
Vanek combined with the top guys of Parise, Koivu and Suter, the Wild will land a spot in the playoffs. If you want a team that could be a
surprise contender for the Stanley Cup, this team could be it.